A late autumn visit to Baengnyeong Island ahead of a major shift in weather produced a total of 105 bird species and three mammals: Spotted Seal, Siberian Weasel and multiple Finless Porpoise in waters between Daecheong and Baengnyeong islands. Two of these species are additions to the Baengnyeong Island list: Ancient Murrelet, from the ferry in Baengnyeong waters, and Relict Gull. This brings the total to ~398 bird species knowingly reported on or around the island since we started regular surveys there in 2013.
Like almost all of autumn 2024, the visit started with well-above average temperatures (c. 16C on the island late on the November 24th) and light easterlies. This exceptional mild was then overwhelmed by a series of strong (50km/hr, gusting 70-80km/hr) winds, becoming persistent north-westerlies, helping to drop afternoon highs to zero on the 27th , and dumping the heaviest November snow on record in the Seoul-Incheon area. Subsequently, temperatures moderated slightly (rising to a high of about 8C) on 30th, thawing the snow, before I needed to leave the island a day and a half earlier than planned.
Of greatest note, was the presence of a flock of up to 28 Oriental Stork, presumed to be left-overs from a nationally record-breaking influx that peaked at 104 individuals (from November 11th or 12th to 18th) found and counted by Park Jeong-Un of Green Korea United. More on these storks below…
Numbers of geese (2,000-2,500) and of dabbling duck (3,000-4,000 visible on the reclamation lake on most dates) were more or less as expected, but there were several additional waterbirds of note during this period. These included a personal high island count of Greater White-fronted Goose (29-40); all three swan species; single Brant and Swan Goose; 2-4 Lesser White-fronted and a possible Cackling Goose (brief views of a duck-sized, very dark brown-backed goose disappearing into a mass of Bean Geese at dusk – sadly insufficient view to claim an island first!); two dates with observation of Scaly-sided Merganser; and the island’s first Relict Gull.
Raptors too were well-represented throughout, with a single globally Vulnerable Greater Spotted Eagle on 25th; probably two Black Kite throughout; four (or 5?) White-tailed Eagles; 4+ Upland Buzzard in residence; and small numbers of what used to be called “accipiters” (before recent taxonomic changes). As many of these hunted along the edge of the reclamation lake, these too would pose a major potential bird strike hazard to aircraft during landing and take-off.
However, there was – in consideration of the extreme weather – little evidence of mass movement by landbirds during the week. Species on the move included Rooks (peaking at 440 on 30th), a few Dusky and Naumann’s Thrushes (especially on 29th and 30th) and a single Pale Thrush; quite a few Eurasian Wrens; and some Lapland Longspur, Little and Pallas’s Reed Buntings. However, as in late October (and unlike in 2023) there were very few Siberian Accentor, and exceptionally few finches (e.g., only single Hawfinch and Chinese Grosbeak during the week, and zero Red Crossbill, Long-tailed or Pallas’s Rosefinches).
More details on some of the more notable species / records follow:
- Brant Goose Branta bernicla 흑기러기. Assessed as Nationally Threatened, Class II, and Grey-listed by Birds Korea in 2020 following the extirpation of regular wintering flocks. It seems that fewer than 10 have been recorded every year during the last five years, with most seen during migration and now with very few in mid-winter.
A juvenile / First-winter was off the east off the island on 26th. This is my fourth record on the island, since the first, an adult, on the former Jinchon tidal flat in April 2020.
Individuals on Baengnyeong likely are part of the so-called “Nigricans, China Non-Bre” population, rather than from the much better-researched “Nigricans Japan Non-Bre” population of 2,500 (https://wpp.wetlands.org), a few of which can be seen annually along the Korean east coast (and which likely winter regularly in the DPRK in Wonsan Bay, and perhaps northward) and south coast, occasionally reaching Jeju. As explained back in 2012, there are rather few records of Brant Goose in China; and the origin of these birds is likely to be from much further west than birds wintering in Japan and the DPRK. Unless recent evidence has come to light, this more western population is likely to be in free-fall.
A question for those with specialist knowledge: might the more westerly origin help to explain why the last two juvenile Brant on Baengnyeong have looked so dark-flanked compared with juveniles seen on the east coast at roughly the same time of year?).
- Swan Goose Anser cygnoides 개리. Globally Endangered, and Nationally Threatened Class II.
One was with the Bean Goose flock on the reclamation lake and in adjacent fields throughout. This seems likely to be the same individual that was first seen on October 26th. One or two have been found each October-November since 2013; but none have yet been seen in mid-winter, suggesting that these birds probably winter in PR China.
- Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis 큰부리큰기러기 . Nationally Threatened Class II. Most survey effort in the ROK does not differentiate between Tundra Bean (which is very rapidly increasing on the mainland) and Taiga Bean (which also appears to be increasing, but much more slowly).
Probably only 75-100 Taiga Bean were present during this period, a substantial decrease from the counts of 300 on October 21st and October 24th 2024 (and lower than the 1,200 recorded back in November 2013 and even the 150 found overwintering here in January 2020). This local-level decrease, which contrasts with regional trends, is likely due to reduced safe foraging and roosting conditions following the construction of the road through Hwadong Wetland in 2015. Losses could most likely be reversed by maintaining lower water levels in the reclamation lake.
The seasonal pattern of records suggest that October-November Taiga Beans on Baengnyeong likely contain birds from both the “middendorffii China Non-bre” population (estimated at 24,100, with a 1% threshold of 240) and the “middendorffi Korea Non-bre” population of 7,700 (with a 1% threshold of 75) .
At wetlands with likely more than one population of a waterbird species, Ramsar guidance advises using the higher of the two populations in assessing international importance. Based on this guidance, the Baengnyeong Reclamation Lake and adjacent habitats are internationally important for waterbirds, as they regularly support more than 1% of the relevant population of Taiga Bean Goose.
- Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris 큰기러기 . Nationally Threatened Class II.
At least 2,100 (and up to 2,500) Tundra Beans were present more or less throughout, though numbers were difficult to count as birds moved between three main areas of rice-field and the reclamation lake. This number is higher than most or perhaps all previous counts on the island, and might suggest some increase in local numbers – perhaps to be expected as the species is indeed increasing rapidly in the ROK. However, our data from surveys in the Hwaseong Wetlands and elsewhere suggest that this species likely peaks in number in mid-late November or even in early December. This survey was rather later in autumn than in any other year, and I counted a similarish 1,905 Tundra Bean here slightly earlier in the year five years ago, back on November 15 2019.
Unlike Taiga Bean Goose, Tundra Bean Goose also over-winter on the island in large numbers, and we counted 1,550 here in January 2020. The 1% threshold for the “serrirostris Korea Non-bre” population is 810. The Baengnyeong Reclamation Lake and adjacent habitats are internationally important for waterbirds, as they regularly support more than 2% of the relevant population of Tundra Bean Goose.
- Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus 흰이마기러기. Globally Vulnerable (but should be re-assessed as globally Endangered or Critically Endangered following massive recent declines in PR China) and nationally Threatened, class II.
On November 25th, two adults and a probable juvenile were seen roosting in rice-fields in the main goose flock; and a single adult was soon after seen on the reclamation lake. One was again seen with the main goose flock on 28th. There are at least two previous records in late October.
- Mute Swan Cygnus olor 혹고니. Nationally Threatened Class I. One adult seen flying east in between heavy snow showers from the Munhwa Motel on November 27th. There are several previous records, with the origin of birds likely to be Mongolia based on tracked birds wintering on the east coast of the DPRK.
- Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus 고니 . Nationally Threatened Class I. Tundra Swan has declined massively in the ROK, although decent numbers can still be seen at Rason in the NE of the DPRK (with e.g., 90 counted there in mid-March 2019).
Mid-winter counts of Tundra Swan 고니 in the ROK MOE Winter Census. Graph generated by database created by Andreas Kim (see: https://www.andreas-kim.de/MoE/MoE.html ).
Five (two adults and three young) were photographed on the reclamation lake on November 27th by Park Jeong-Un.
Most of the East Asian population (105,000-115,000) is now concentrated in mid-winter in two areas – the Yangtze floodplain and northern Japan. Based on the wind direction, these birds on Baengnyeong were likely drifted eastward during migration towards the Yangtze floodplain.
- Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 큰고니. Nationally Threatened Class II. Five adults were seen in rice-fields and then on the reclamation lake on November 28th.
- Baikal Teal Sibirionetta formosa 가창오리. At least 300, and perhaps up to 500, were on the reclamation lake on 28th. This is my highest count of this species on the reclamation lake itself, although 1,195 were counted migrating SE over the sea from the east of the island in early November 2022.
- Stejneger’s Scoter Melanitta stejnegeri 검둥오리사촌. Not nationally assessed by the Ministry of Environment. Our data and MOE Winter Census data, however, indicate that this species is undergoing a very rapid decline in the ROK at least (the species was locally numerous during survey work in the DPRK last decade).
Although numbers have remained high on Baengnyeong Island during recent years (with counts of 309 in late October 2017 and of 202 on November 7th 2022) the highest count during this survey period was only 44 (on November 30th). Even this low number should now be considered “nationally important” being higher than nationwide mid-winter counts in both 2022 and 2023.
Of additional interest, an adult-type male scoter seen on November 29th showed a remarkably pale-looking bill (yellow-based with bubble gum pink distal half) when compared with all the other Stejneger’s, and perhaps also had a different forehead profile, with possibly a forehead indent and a less prominent bill “knob” – both features potentially indicative of the still-unrecorded-in-Korea White-winged Scoter. The bird was distant, however, and although initially fairly easy to pick up, sea-swell prevented prolonged views, and it was not possible to assess whether or not the flanks were brown. After 10 minutes of on-and-off observations, the bird seemed to move further away from shore before a prolonged hail shower with strong winds moved back in.
The search for this obvious-looking individual on 30th was unsuccessful, but confirmed that at least two of the adult-type male Stejneger’s showed brownish tones to the flanks (although darker than shown by White-winged, contradicting some statements in the ID literature that “adult male Stejneger’s never shows brown flanks“).
- Black Scoter Melanitta americana 검둥오리. Globally Near Threatened. Not assessed by the national Ministry of Environment though our data and data from the Winter Census indicate that this species is declining rapidly in the ROK, with distribution in mid-winter now more or less concentrated close to the inner border. Survey work suggest that the species is now substantially more numerous along the east coast of the DPRK than along the east coast of the ROK.
The highest count during this survey visit was 24 on November 29th – slightly higher than in most or any previous visit; and a “nationally important” count (exceeding both the 1% and 10% thresholds).
- Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus 호사비오리. Globally Endangered and Nationally Threatened Class I. One female-type (perhaps a second calendar year male?) was on the reclamation lake on November 27th; and four were seen in sustained flight (heading SE) over the sea on 30th.
- Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica 메추라기 . Globally Near Threatened and obviously rapidly declining in the ROK. Remarkably, zero were recorded during this survey or during any other survey on the island in 2024. Never common, day counts of 4-6 on the island used not to be exceptional.
- Common Crane Grus grus 검은목두루미 . This species is showing an increasing trend both in the ROK (where now ~10-30 appear to over-winter regularly) and also on the island, with a high count of six counted last winter by Park Jeong Un.
Two adults were present throughout, often in the company of the two Hooded Cranes.
- Hooded Crane Grus monacha 흑두루미 . Two were present throughout. Apparently, one of these is the obese bird that over-summered here, surviving on a diet of corn fed by locals.
- Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus 귀뿔논병아리. Globally Vulnerable. Not assessed nationally by the Ministry of Environment even though fewer than 100 are counted most winters during the MOE Winter Census (with many of these likely to be misidentified Black-necked Grebes). One on the reclamation lake on November 27th was the only record.
- Kentish Plover Anarhynchus alexandrinus 흰물떼새 . The only shorebird recorded during the present survey, with eight seen on the beach.
- Relict Gull Ichthyaetus relictus 고대갈매기. Globally Vulnerable and Nationally Threatened Class II. Following reclamation projects in the Nakdong Estuary and subsequently in Incheon, this species has declined substantially in the ROK and might need to be Grey Listed as there do not appear to have been at least ten records during each of the past five winters.
A First-winter was on the beach near the main sluice on November 27th, with views for five minutes in a snowstorm. Unfortunately, the gull flock (including the Relict) was then flushed by a low-flying White-tailed Eagle and the bird was not seen again.
- Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana 황새 . Nationally Endangered and Nationally Threatened Class I. Following national extirpation, increased conservation efforts in ROK and throughout Far East Asia have resulted in a substantial improvement in numbers. Although BirdLife International (2024) claim that there are only “1000-2499 mature individuals”, Wetlands International recently revised their population estimate up to 10,300 individuals, with a 1% threshold of 100.
Park Jeong-Un counted 104 on the island on November 11th or 12th, with the majority of these departing on 18th. This is a new national high count of this species (at least away from the area used by captive-bred storks). Although she considered that only about 10 remained after the 18th, she found 28 in the dense reed fringing the reclamation lake on 24th; and her counts suggest that 28 remained through until 30th.
All the individuals I saw (perhaps 27 in total) were un-ringed. It therefore seems highly probable that these were entirely wild birds that had been drifted by strong winds during regular migration between Russian breeding grounds and their main wintering area in the Yangtze floodplain of PR China. Although the main route used to be and might still be through Hebei (with thousands passing through Beidahe some years), in some years in mid-November storks also seem to migrate through Korea and / or Liaoning, perhaps after being pushed south of the Baekdu Massif. In 2016, for example, I saw eight flying west over Baengnyeong on November 11th; and in mid-late November 2020 or 2021 there was a fairly large influx (75 or so?) into the ROK, with birds in Gangwon, and along the west coast.
This year, the mass arrival of and departure from Baengnyeong more or less coincided with massive counts of Oriental Storks in Liaodong Bay, Liaoning Province, about 450km to the northwest, with 5,000 counted there on November 16th and 2,000 counted there on November 17th by Dong Qui.
- Carrion Crow Corvus corone 까마귀. One seen well and photographed in fields between Pukbori and Yeonhwari on 29th. Although sometimes claimed by other birders, this is my first record of the species on this island.
Full checklists are on eBird:
November 24th: Ferry journey (south of Socheong); Ferry between Daecheong and Baengnyeong; short walk around Jinchon.
November 25th: Central rice-fields and Hwadong Wetlands.
November 26th: Jinchon SE.
November 27th: Motel Viz Mig; Junghwadong, Hwadong Wetlands and adjacent habitats.
November 28th: Dumujin, central rice-fields and Hwadong Wetlands.
November 29th: Jinchon, beach, Hwadong Wetlands, car to Yeonhwari.
November 30th: Beach scoter flock.
And finally, if you wonder why we or anyone else conduct these kinds of surveys…
- Effective conservation requires good base-line data. Birds Korea’s research always aims to close information gaps and to help build a reasonable baseline understanding of distribution, abundance and population trend / conservation status, both at the site and national level. This understanding is then incorporated into the annotated Birds Korea Checklists and specialist reports, is often shared with experts overseas, and is also expressed through all of our statements (online and in reports), and in training programs, and expert testimony to courts;
- In this way, Birds Korea research in Ongjin County helped first to identify the importance of Socheong Island for understanding bird migration (resulting in central government’s decision to build a research centre there); and our ongoing research on Baengnyeong has already contributed massively to increasing the island’s recognition nationally and internationally as a migration hotspot and internationally important wetland, with enormous potential for environmental education, ecotourism and sustainability projects. Baengnyeong Island is currently the most species-rich of all the ROK birding sites listed on eBird.
- As proposed, in 2026 construction work will start on an airport on Baengnyeong, immediately adjacent to the reclamation lake and rice-fields (as shown above, an internationally important wetland as defined by Ramsar Convention criteria, supporting a diverse assemblage of rare and globally threatened species and at least two waterbird species in internationally important concentrations of 1%). As proposed, construction of this airport will follow on from the ongoing construction of a massive car-ferry port in Jinchon, which has already resulted in the impoundment of the last major area of muddy tidal flat; and will then be followed by development of a resort, with a golf course and “typical” infrastructure.
- The data generated on birds by our research, and more recently by an increasing number of additional people (especially Green Korea United’s Park Jeong-Un, birders posting on eBird, and Incheon KFEM, with whom Birds Korea has an MOU), is therefore vital IF decision-makers are to understand the likely impacts of proposed developments on biodiversity and sustainability; and if they are to understand the high bird strike risk posed by this proposed airport.
- Therefore, once more we thank all those who are mindful of reducing disturbance to birds; all who share their data and images of birds with us; all who share ideas and designs relevant to enhancing sustainability; and all who continue to support our research activities, either through joining as members or by contributing in some way. Relevant to our work on Baengnyeong in 2024, this has included the ferry company (for myself, free ferry travel…); two members kindly donating cameras (most recently in October 2024); and one member of the public who made an anonymous and extremely generous donation of 1 million won (in November 2024) because of our work on Baengnyeong. Our warmest thanks!